October 26 / 14.55 Ludlow

14.55

Good To Soft

Tom Calvert Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

  • Prize money: £4901.4
  • 1m 7f 169y
  • Class 4
  • 16 runners
RTV
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Tom Calvert Memorial Novices’ Hurdle (GBB Race) (Div II)

Runners: 16 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

8/1 (Won)

  • Win: £8.90
  • Place: £2.30

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
1-8 on the Flat in France, the win gained over 1m6f on very soft ground a year ago (fairly useful form); changed hands for 55,000gns in the summer and has joined a good stable for British hurdling career.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

16:42 Taunton

Recoup

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Fergal O’Brien

1m6f winner on the Flat; useful form when winning a Ludlow novice on stable debut (2m, good to soft) but below that level since, with his latest second at Sedgefield remote (following wind surgery); now on a recovery mission.

100/30

2nd

2

24th Apr 2024

Good

2m 3f 1y

Class 4

16:42 Taunton

Recoup

11st 12lb

J: Kielan Woods

T: Fergal O’Brien

1m6f winner on the Flat; useful form when winning a Ludlow novice on stable debut (2m, good to soft) but below that level since, with his latest second at Sedgefield remote (following wind surgery); now on a recovery mission.

100/30

2nd

1

12th Mar 2024

Soft

2m 0f 178y

Class 4

13:50 Sedgefield

Recoup

11st 12lb

J: Connor Brace

T: Fergal O’Brien

prominent, pushed along 3 out, outpaced 2 out, ridden approaching last, weakened final 110yds, just held second, no match for winner

13/8

6/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 32-1 D

Last run: 167 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a bumper/hurdle winner for these connections; placed in two good bumpers last season and did not need to improve to win at short odds at Market Rasen (good to soft) in May; leading contender on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

10th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

2m 3f 100y

18:03 Wexford

Choccabloc

10st 13lb

J: Josh Williamson

T: Andrew McNamara

128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson; remote second in 2m6f Fairyhouse novice his best run over fences for current yard, most recently pulled up after never travelling in 2m5f Fairyhouse handicap on Saturday; hard to fancy unless quicker ground brings serious improvement.

20/1

8

4th Apr 2026

Yielding To Soft

2m 5f 45y

15:15 Fairyhouse

Choccabloc

10st 13lb

J: Anna McGuinness

T: Andrew McNamara

Bumper winner and fair 128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson, stayed 2m5f; beaten 14l in second over C&D in January before being pulled up in a 3m event at Navan; suffered the same fate in a Limerick race won by Kings Hill; questions to answer.

16/1

3

12th Mar 2026

Soft To Heavy

2m 1f 185y

14:54 Limerick

Choccabloc

11st 11lb

J: Brian Hayes

T: Andrew McNamara

Bumper winner and fair 128-rated hurdler for Nicky Henderson, stayed 2m5f; ran well up to the point of his fall two out over C&D on his second Irish start; fair second at Fairyhouse before being pulled up in a 3m handicap at Navan; out of his depth in a 2m Grade event on latest.

10/1

33/1

  • Place: £4.30

Form: 3

Last run: 157 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Out of a French AQPS Flat winner; third of six in good-ground Market Rasen bumper on debut in May but will need to take a big step forward to pose a threat here; tongue-tie added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

15th Apr 2026

Good

2m 3f 203y

Class 1

14:40 Haydock

Jour DEvasion

11st 4lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

Completed this season's hat-trick over shorter trips, in lower grades and on softer surfaces; won over a similar trip to this over hurdles but on soft ground that seems to suit him ideally; a good-ground renewal of the Grand Annual proved far too tough last month.

10/1

16

11th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

1m 7f 199y

Class 1

16:40 Cheltenham

Jour DEvasion

10st 10lb

J: Sam Twiston-Davies

T: Henry Daly

3-4 over fences, the wins coming over 2m1f/2m on heavy/good to soft; clearly knows how to get the job done and he's on an upward curve, but he's 5lb higher than for a narrow win in a small field at Warwick last time and today is a much tougher test of his credentials.

16/1

1st

1

23rd Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 0f 54y

Class 3

14:05 Warwick

Jour DEvasion

11st 12lb

J: David Bass

T: Henry Daly

Bang-in-form 7yo who ended 2025 with convincing wins at Bangor (2m1f, heavy) and Chepstow (2m, good to soft); shooting up the weights but won't mind what the weather does here and commands respect in current mood.

6/4

100/30

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Very useful Flat stayer with 4-18 strike-rate; not at his best in hot handicaps in last couple of outings but it will be very interesting to see how he fares on today's hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(8)

27th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 4

17:20 Lingfield (AW)

Adjuvant

9st 8lb

J: Joe Bradnam

T: Michael Bell

Winless since May 2023 but he reappeared from five months off the track with a good third of five in 2m Southwell handicap 18 days ago; not out of things on his Polytrack debut eased 1lb.

5/1

3rd

2

(6)

9th Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 4

16:25 Southwell (AW)

Adjuvant

9st 12lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Bell

Winless since 2023 and he signed off for last term with a below-par 14th in November Handicap at Doncaster in November; yard is going well though so no forlorn hope off a reduced mark.

8/1

1

(6)

18th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 4

16:32 Yarmouth

Adjuvant

10st 4lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Michael Bell

Four-time winner; close fifth of seven on belated reappearance at Goodwood (1m4f) and contested another better-grade handicap at Haydock 12 days ago (1m6f, good); respected class-dropper who won't mind getting back on slower ground.

7/2

Form: 00

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Joined Christian Williams after Irish point win in March; a well-beaten outsider in two 2m hurdles this month and will probably be of much greater interest when upped in trip and switched to handicaps.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

15th Jan 2026

Good To Soft

2m 7f 171y

Class 5

15:27 Ludlow

Blagthebookies

11st 12lb

J: Mrs Iola Sankey

T: N Gittins

Double between the flags in early 2025, but tougher tasks on last two starts; lots to find with these on their respective rules bests.

25/1

9

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Blagthebookies

11st 12lb

J: Mrs Iola Sankey

T: N Gittins

Beaten off lowly mark on chase/handicap debut for Harry Derham on latest rules start one year ago but came good for new stable with two recent point wins and evidently a better horse now; not ruled out each-way.

20/1

9

2nd May 2025

Good

4m 0f 97y

Class 4

19:30 Cheltenham

Blagthebookies

11st 12lb

J: Mrs Iola Sankey

T: N Gittins

Beaten off lowly mark on chase/handicap debut for Harry Derham on latest rules start one year ago but came good for new stable with two recent point wins and evidently a better horse now; not ruled out each-way.

20/1

OUR TIP

Form: 26

Last run: 22 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed some ability when second of four on bumper debut in May but struggled when 100-1 for recent hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

14

1st Jun 2024

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

12:40 Worcester

Exclusive Getaway

10st 8lb

J: Henry Brooke

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Placed off today's lowly mark on handicap hurdle debut at Kempton (2m, good) in April and didn't run badly in a somewhat unsatisfactory race at Uttoxeter last month; back up in trip for today's chasing debut and has possibilities if he takes well to fences.

10/1

8th

10

18th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:03 Uttoxeter

Exclusive Getaway

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Runner up in a good ground maiden bumper this time last year; hasn't built on that over hurdles but took a step in the right direction at Kempton (2m, good) latest; could be involved if able to build on that.

10/1

8th

10

18th May 2024

Good

1m 7f 168y

Class 5

20:03 Uttoxeter

Exclusive Getaway

10st 2lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Runner up in a good ground maiden bumper this time last year; hasn't built on that over hurdles but took a step in the right direction at Kempton (2m, good) latest; could be involved if able to build on that.

10/1

Form: 24-

Last run: 256 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 118

Form & Verdict
Joined Dan Skelton for big money after impressive Irish point debut in spring 2022 and made promising start to rules career when second in Newbury maiden hurdle (2m, good) last November; raced too freely and was rather disappointing in Exeter Listed race in February but had wind op during the summer and retains considerable potential.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

6th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 77y

Class 4

15:55 Bangor-on-Dee

Ittack Blue

12st 0lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Made all in two Market Rasen novice hurdles (both 2m, good) in May but was soundly beaten in both subsequent handicaps, the latter his chasing debut; still has plenty of time to get career back on track but comes here with a point to prove.

12/1

7th

1

21st Jul 2024

Good

2m 3f 98y

Class 4

17:10 Stratford

Ittack Blue

12st 2lb

J: Harry Skelton

T: Dan Skelton

Won back-to-back minor hurdle races on good ground at Market Rasen but didn't look obviously well treated for handicap debut back there and ended up tailed off; that was not his true running but, off just 2lb lower, he faces no straightforward task unless improving for fences (bred for it).

3/1

Form: 58-

Last run: 188 days

W: 11st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Second foal from very prolific pointer Lady Myfanwy; not disgraced when midfield in Exeter bumper in April, his second run, but faces a tall order on this hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Myfanwys Magic

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

prominent, briefly led after 2nd, lost position after 3 out, weakened 2 out

4/1

6th

2

9th Apr 2025

Good To Firm

2m 7f 198y

Class 5

14:25 Taunton

Myfanwys Magic

11st 11lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

prominent, briefly led after 2nd

4/1

3rd

2

20th Mar 2025

Good

2m 3f 100y

Class 5

16:40 Chepstow

Myfanwys Magic

11st 12lb

J: Freddie Keighley

T: Martin Keighley

Unwise to blame soft ground when well held in the new cheekpieces at Warwick last time (3m2f); a repeat of his second at Ludlow in November would give him a shout, though that was at 3m.

6/1

Form: 5-55

Last run: 18 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fifth of eight on all three starts under rules in a bumper and two maiden hurdles; evidently has some ability but handicaps are probably on the agenda after this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

26th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:55 Ludlow

Present De Vango

11st 2lb

J: David England

T: Olly Murphy

Fifth of eight on all three starts under rules in a bumper and two maiden hurdles; evidently has some ability but handicaps are probably on the agenda after this.

33/1

Form: 8

Last run: 38 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Always behind when 33-1 for Worcester bumper last month; hooded for today's stable/hurdle debut (was with Matt Sheppard); can't be recommended.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

0

6

16th Nov 2023

Good

2m 0f 104y

Class 4

13:15 Taunton

Yogis Trail

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Sophie Leech

took keen hold, towards rear, pecked on landing after 4 out

100/1

0

12

8th Nov 2023

Soft

2m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:15 Warwick

Yogis Trail

11st 0lb

J: James Best

T: Sophie Leech

No promise in a bumper or on last month's hurdle/stable debut.

100/1

0

7

26th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

14:55 Ludlow

Yogis Trail

11st 2lb

J: Conor Ring

T: Sophie Leech

Always behind when 33-1 for Worcester bumper last month; hooded for today's stable/hurdle debut (was with Matt Sheppard); can't be recommended.

100/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to useful jumpers Vintage Fizz and Fameaftertheglory; kept on best to make winning Irish point debut in April and was bought for £40,000 soon afterwards; could have a good future under rules but may need a stiffer stamina test than this.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

9

16th May 2026

Good

3m 0f 30y

Class 5

16:30 Bangor-on-Dee

Getaway Glory

10st 8lb

J: Charlie Todd

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Placed on both previous C&D starts, including when beaten under 1l by On The Platform in this race (good to soft; headed last); out of sorts this year, however, and needs a positive response to wind surgery.

25/1

10th

10

27th Mar 2026

Good

3m 0f 26y

Class 5

16:50 Wetherby

Getaway Glory

10st 12lb

J: Toby Wynne

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Case can be made on pick of his form over hurdles and fences but it's been miserable stuff in three handicap chases since returning from 485 days off; all headgear removed this time.

10/1

3

11th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 129y

Class 5

16:55 Huntingdon

Getaway Glory

11st 6lb

J: Craig Nichol

T: Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero

Made a winning debut over fences when scoring off this mark over C&D (good; first-time cheekpieces) in April 2024; some solid efforts followed later that year but both starts since coming back from an absence have been uninspiring; hopes are pinned on his return to this venue and first-time blinkers.

10/1

Form: 6-3

Last run: 167 days

W: 11st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR:

Form & Verdict
Showed minor promise in two Market Rasen bumpers for Harriet Dickin in the spring, latterly when third of seven behind Choccabloc; has since changed hands for £19,000; looks up against it on stable/hurdle debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10

18th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

James Baie

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Max Young

Promise in bumpers for Harriet Dickin last spring; yet to achieve much over hurdles and no significance in the return of cheekpieces; 7lb out of the weights.

10/1

10

18th May 2024

Good

2m 7f 70y

Class 5

17:20 Uttoxeter

James Baie

10st 2lb

J: Lewis Saunders

T: Max Young

in rear

10/1

8th

12

9th May 2024

Good To Soft

2m 2f 148y

Class 5

19:50 Stratford

James Baie

10st 2lb

J: David Noonan

T: Max Young

Promise in bumpers on good to soft for Harriet Dickin last spring; yet to achieve much over hurdles, held back by his jumping, but getting back on a sounder surface may help and new blinkers could spark extra too.

33/1

Form: 3

Last run: 14 days

W: 10st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Fair Flat racer; encouraging start to hurdling career when placed in run-of-the-mill mares' maiden at Exeter (2m, good to firm) this month but she has considerably more on her plate here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(2)

26th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

2m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:20 Newmarket (July)

Breccia

9st 0lb

J: David Probert

T: Robert Stephens

Dual 2m AW winner who took a good-ground selling hurdle in April; slow-starting second under 7lb claimer at Bath (2m1f, good to firm) 12 days ago confirms that she is firmly in the mix.

9/2

2nd

5

(6)

14th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

2m 1f 24y

Class 6

13:23 Bath

Breccia

9st 8lb

J: Fred Daly

T: Robert Stephens

Dual AW winner who took a selling hurdle at Exeter (2m2f) in April; placed behind Cherry Cola on only other visit to this track (1m6f) and some encouragement is drawn from her latest Salisbury effort (staying-on fifth); step up in trip in her favour; a possible.

5/1

Form: 3/44

Last run: 22 days

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
Switched to current stable after promising bumper debut on good ground in April 2022; soundly beaten in two slow-ground hurdle races this autumn, after a layoff, and seemingly Dan Skelton's second string here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:10 Cartmel

Chantilly Rose

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

13-race maiden; ran better than eventual 36l defeat suggests when today's headgear combination was used at Hexham (2m4f, good) last Tuesday but is effectively 5lb higher from out of the weights here.

33/1

13

28th May 2025

Good To Soft

2m 1f 61y

Class 5

20:10 Cartmel

Chantilly Rose

10st 2lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

13-race maiden; ran better than eventual 36l defeat suggests when today's headgear combination was used at Hexham (2m4f, good) last Tuesday but is effectively 5lb higher from out of the weights here.

33/1

5th

8

20th May 2025

Good

2m 4f 15y

Class 5

18:58 Hexham

Chantilly Rose

10st 7lb

J: Peter Kavanagh

T: Lizzie Quinlan

12-race maiden; beaten a combined total of 157l over hurdles in last three starts and fell at the first on her last attempt over fences; new headgear combination is tried; other runners are far more appealing.

50/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 9lb

6 yo Mare

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-9 in Irish points, albeit placed five times; makes rules debut after six-month absence; not the obvious answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

11

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Worcester

Inchiquin Spirit

10st 4lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Alastair Ralph

In the frame in five of her 11 starts over hurdles and returns to her former trainer after a couple of modest efforts in points last month; others stronger.

16/1

8th

11

23rd May 2025

Good

2m 4f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Worcester

Inchiquin Spirit

10st 4lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Alastair Ralph

In the frame in five of her 11 starts over hurdles and returns to her former trainer after a couple of modest efforts in points last month; others stronger.

16/1

Form:

Last run:

W: 10st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
0-18 on the Flat and has struggled to get seriously competitive off basement marks in recent months; makes no appeal on hurdling debut.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

4th Dec 2024

Good To Soft

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

12:58 Ludlow

Ballet Blanc

10st 5lb

J: Rex Dingle

T: Richard Price

Modest 20-race maiden on the Flat and she's been pulled up at massive prices in her two previous hurdle runs.

100/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £30.50
Straight Forecast £26.33
Trifecta £443.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Ittack Blue

LAMBOURN:

Choccabloc

POSTDATA:

Recoup

Telegraph:

Adjuvant

Daily Mirror:

Choccabloc

Daily Record:

Choccabloc

RP RATINGS:

Ittack Blue

TOPSPEED:

Ittack Blue

The Times:

Ittack Blue

The Guardian:

Ittack Blue

Daily Mail:

Ittack Blue

The Sun:

Ittack Blue

The Star:

Ittack Blue

WEST COUNTRY:

Recoup

D Express:

Adjuvant